Russia sends troops into Ukraine as PM vows to bring in 'swift' sanctions
Boris Johnson said Putin had 'torn up the book' of international law
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has vowed to introduce 'swift' new sanctions against Russia after Moscow sent troops into Ukraine.
Tensions had been building between Moscow and Kyiv in recent months, and after intense diplomatic meetings, Russia said that it would recognise two pro-Russian breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine.
Leader Vladimir Putin said that Russian troops which crossed into Ukrainian territory were for 'peacekeeping purposes' between Kyiv and the separatist areas.
However, the move has been met with international condemnation, and in the UK, Boris Johnson said that Putin had 'torn up the book' of international law.
Speaking to broadcasters, the Prime Minister said: "I'm afraid all the evidence is that President Putin is indeed bent on a full-scale invasion of the Ukraine, the overrunning, the subjugation of an independent, sovereign European country and I think, let's be absolutely clear, that will be absolutely catastrophic."
After chairing an emergency COBRA meeting, he said that sanctions would be introduced to dissuade Russia from carrying on.
"This is I should stress just the first barrage of UK economic sanctions against Russia because we expect I'm afraid that there is more Russian irrational behaviour to come," he added.
MPs will hear an update on the exact structure of the sanctions from the Prime Minister at around 12:30p.m. following calls with world leaders.
Other world leaders from the United States and the European Union are also imposing economic sanctions to stop Russia.